Seven areas of the UK want to follow Yorkshire’s Tour de France example, organiser claims

Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive Gary Verity, the man who led Yorkshire’s bid to host the world renowned cycle race, also claims authorities in Thailand and Germany have also been in contact with Tour owners Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) as God’s Own County aims to build on its 2014 triumph.

“Christian Prudhomme (ASO) was still being contacted by people including Thailand and Germany last week and seven different places in the UK who all say ‘we want what they had in Yorkshire’,” My Verity said. “It’s cycling and the event itself and how that can put a place on the map.”

Mr Verity also outlined his aims for the Tour of Yorkshire legacy race – a three-day event, confirmed as part of the UCI world cycling body’s 2015 calendar from May 1 to 3, that will take place over the next three years.

Potential routes are currently being explored for the races, which will not seek Government funding. He said it could visit areas of the east coast and the North York Moors, but added: “Because we have a place in mind doesn’t mean to say that it is a done deal.”

Mr Verity’s comments came as he was named Yorkshire’s Man of the Year 2014 at the Yorkshire Awards in Leeds last night.